(ridiculous author at large)

bloodshot

If you haven’t read Cherie Priest’s marvelous Maplecroft, you are doing yourself a disservice. I purchased the novel when it first came out. I started reading it in December of 2014. Then, unfortunately, Jay and I had to make an emergency trip to Texas for what turned out to be our last visit with his grandfather. When I was throwing things together for us to leave, I didn’t pack Maplecroft. It was an oversight. By the time we returned home to Virginia, I was reading Amy Poehler’s Yes Please. Somehow, I never picked Maplecroft back up at any point during 2015.

Then our kitchen caught fire late last year, leading to extreme smoke damage throughout that level of our home. Most of my books were ruined. Maplecroft, fortunately, was among the books in our basement bedroom. It miraculously survived with zero smoke damage and was returned to us in good condition. I decided to pick it up last week after coming across it by chance.

Isn’t it pretty? I adore this cover.

The novel is fantastic as well. I didn’t remember enough about it to simply pick up where I had left off (and my place had been lost anyway), so I began again. It’s chilling! Priest is an amazing writer. This reminds me a great deal of Dracula (one of my favorite novels), both in style and mood.

I’m really enjoying the experience of reading this, too. I’ve taken to reading primarily via e-book in the last several years. I simply do not have the space to house as many books as I would love to own. This, though, I am reading via dead tree format. There’s a certain joy to be had in carrying around and showing off a book that one is reading. Don’t get me wrong; I love reading with my Kindle and iPad. It’s efficient, easy on my hands and wrists, and super convenient. Reading something on paper, though, gives the experience a warmth and tactile pleasure that’s missing with e-books. Also, I’m one of those wicked readers who enjoys underlining the especially important or meaningful passages in books. You can underline with Kindle editions, but nothing’s as satisfying as marking a significant passage in a favorite book.

Here are a few lines that I especially loved from early in Maplecroft:

…I fear to the point of fretful, bowel-clenching sickness that I might chase her away even without the secrets that darken the space between us.

and

…I value beyond my life the time I spend with her beside me.

(pages 4-5)

Beautiful, old-fashioned lines, both of them. Priest has gorgeously captured the language of this era. She is one of those authors who is able to skillfully shape her prose to match her story. I love it. If you haven’t read her fiction before, give it a try. Don’t care for Lovecraftian historical fantasy? Maybe old west steampunk is more your speed? Try Boneshaker and sequels. Like comics and smart YA stories? I Am Princess X might be for you. Urban fantasy addict? Bloodshot and Hellbent deserve your time (though, be warned: I don’t think there will be any more of those).